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Jerome W. "Jerry" Jopke
1939 - 2022
Jopke, Jerome "Jerry" Bay City, Michigan Jerome Weber "Jerry" Jopke passed away Wednesday November 23, 2022 at McLaren Bay Region. He was born in St. Johns, MI on April 22, 1939 to the late Jerome H. and Florence E. (Weber) Jopke. Jerry was a 1957 graduate of Bay City Central High School and a member of its reunion committee. He graduated from Western Michigan University and was a founding member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity-Michigan Delta Chapter. He served in the United States Army Reserve. Jerry retired from Oldsmobile Division, General Motors Corporation sales department after 36 years. As a young man he was a fast pitch softball pitcher. Jerry was an antique tractor and toy tractor collector and was a member of the former Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church. Jerry is survived by his goddaughter, Jessica Claire Sams of London, England and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Janet H. Jopke, Ed.D. A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Elm Lawn Cemetery. The Rev. Brenna Overland will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bay Area Community Foundation or the American Diabetes Association.
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John England (1961)
Jerry and I (with a couple others) roomed together our senior year a WMU. I worked in the kitchen at the fraternity house and that's where Jerry got his meals. I always made sure he received the best portion's until the Brothers started to complain. We graduated In 1962. He got a job at Oldsmobile in Lansing and at I at Fords in Dearborn. Jerry was, a year later, transferred to Detroit where I was located. We decided to get an apartment together. That lasted several years until he was transferred back to Lansing. That worked great for me as Marty was at MSU and I was spending just about every weekend with her. Now I had a free place to stay while at MSU. That lasted until Marty graduated an we got engaged. Jerry was our Bestman at the Wedding.
We didn't see much of one another over the years but we stayed in touch. Last time we got together was at his place in Florida. He gave me four almost new Drivers that obviously didn't work for him and so haven't worked for me either.
Jerry was a Brother and a very good friend. Marty and I will miss hearing his distinctive raspy voice. May he rest in peace 😪